Nahanni Country communities
There are six communities in the Deh Cho region. Four of the communities are accessible by year-round road, and two, Nahanni Butte and Trout Lake, are accessible by air in the summer and air or ice road in the winter. For more information on a specific community click on the community name on the map.
Fort Liard
Fort Liard (Echaot'je Kue, people of the land of giants place") is located on a wooded terrace at the junction of the Liard and Petitot Rivers. Many of the buildings are constructed of sturdy logs cut from tall trees nurtured in the Liard River valley by warm air from the Pacific. In the past decade, natural gas development nearby has brought change and opportunity. Fort Liard is famous for birchbark baskets so beautifully crafted that they're considered works of art. There's an inn, restaurant and motel/general store. Stop in at Acho Dene Native Crafts to shop.
Fort Simpson
Fort Simpson (Liidlii Kue, "place where the rivers come together") is the Deh Cho's gateway to the Nahanni-Ram country, a pristine panorama of white water, alpine tundra and jagged peaks. In town, a trail links historic sites and guided tours are offered. Sights include prospector Albert Faille's cabin, the Papal Grounds, and Fort Simpson Heritage Park. The Nahanni National Park Reserve Visitors' Centre has displays on the history, culture and geography of the region. (If you're planning to visit the Park, this is where you register.) Outfitters offer day and longer trips into the Park. Spend an afternoon at the Seven Spruce Golf Course. Hotels, inns and B&Bs offer accommodations, and excellent crafts are available locally.
Nahanni Butte
Nahanni Butte (Tthenaago, "strong rock"), a pretty, small Dene community with log houses just south of the butte, can be reached only by air or water taxi. There's an inn and general store, plus water taxis to Blackstone Territorial Park and van service to Fort Simpson.
Wrigley
To reach Wrigley (Pedzeh Kj, "clay place" ) you can take a scenic two-hour drive on the all-weather road "down north" from Fort Simpson. The people preserve the old way of life, hunting, trapping and fishing for whitefish and trout.
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